Charlie Hunter Trio live in Urbana

Experience Charlie Hunter Trio live on September 24th

Charlie Hunter Trio is scheduled to perform at Pygmalion in Urbana, Illinois on September 24, 2026. The group is known for its distinctive instrumental jazz sound, largely characterized by Charlie Hunter’s use of a custom-made seven-string guitar allowing him to simultaneously play bass lines, chords, and melodies. Their music blends elements of jazz, funk, blues, and rock, often featuring improvisation and complex rhythmic interplay between the musicians. The trio typically consists of Hunter on guitar, along with a drummer and another instrumentalist – frequently a keyboardist or saxophonist – contributing to a full and dynamic sonic texture.

Pygmalion is an annual music festival held in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. Originating in 2006 as a primarily local indie rock event organized by students at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, it has grown to encompass a diverse range of genres including experimental music, hip hop, electronic music and jazz. The festival traditionally utilizes multiple venues throughout the downtown areas of both Champaign and Urbana. Pygmalion’s focus extends beyond musical performance; it also incorporates art installations and film screenings into its programming.